136 Mr. J. Miers on the genus Margaranthus. 



of Nepenthes. An ash analysis of this interesting plant would 

 show the proportion of sulphuric acid at once ; and as we are not 

 in possession of an analysis of the ash of Nepenthes, which in 

 other respects might be of interest, I take the liberty of asking 

 those gentlemen who are in the possession of Nepenthes' plants 

 to preserve the clippings of branches, &c, which I shall be glad 

 to receive as materials for an ash analysis. 



XVII. — Contributions to the Botany of South America. 

 By John Miers, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. 



[Continued from p. 39.] 



Margaranthus. 

 Among the various collections of Mexican and South American 

 plants, I have not been able to find any specimen corresponding 

 with this genus, of which indeed nothing appears to be known, 

 except the description given of it by Prof. Schlechtendal, and 

 the figure drawn by that able botanist from living specimens 

 raised in Halle from seeds received from Mexico. On comparing 

 this with Physalis and its allied genera, it will be seen to differ 

 from them in the smaller size and pale blue colour of its flowers, 

 and particularly in the great contraction of the mouth of the 

 corolla, which gives it a globular instead of a campanular form. 

 The calyx is more entire on its margin, and like Physalis en- 

 larges, becomes vesicular, and incloses a small globular berry 

 with aqueous juice, which becomes exsuccous. I have here 

 amended its character as contrasted with its allied genera. 



Margaranthus, Schl. — Calyx urceolato-tubulosus, 5-angularis 

 breviter 5-dentatus, persistens et accrescens. Corolla urceo- 

 lato-globosa, 5- sulcata, imo attenuata, medio ventricosa, ore 

 valde contracta, margine dentibus 5 minutis instructa, intus 

 villosula. Stamina 5, sequalia, inclusa, corollse dimidio bre- 

 viora ; anthera, conniventes, 2-lobse, dorso affixse, rima duplici 

 longitudinaliter dehiscentes. Ovarium globosum, 2-sulcatum, 

 disco carnoso annulari basi immersum, 2-loculare, placentis 

 multiovulatis, medio dissepimenti utrinque adnatis. Stylus 

 simplex, apice attenuatus. Stigma truncatum. Bacca sub- 

 stipitata, 2-locularis, exsucca, pericarpio membranaceo, poly- 

 sperma, calyce innato, ovoideo, reticulato-venoso, dentibus ore 

 clauso laxe inclusa. Semina orbiculato-reniformia. Embryo 

 in albumen semipellucidum curvatus. — Herba Mexicana dicho- 

 tome ramosa, foliis alternis, ovatis, vel ovato-lanceolatis, acutis t 

 petiolatis ; floribus axillaribus, solitariis, parvulis, pedunculatis, 

 nutantibus, sordide ccerulescentibus. 



1. Margaranthus solanaceus, Schl. (Hort. Halens. i. tab. 1) ; — 



